Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article comprises smokable material, such as tobacco, and a heater for heating the smokable material. The heater comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating material has a Curie point temperature that is less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2016/075739, filed Oct. 26, 2016, which claims priority from U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/927,532, filed Oct. 30, 2015, each ofwhich is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to apparatus for heating smokablematerial to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material,to articles for use with such apparatus, to systems comprising suchapparatus and such articles, and to methods of manufacturing productscomprising heaters for use in heating smokable material to volatilize atleast one component of the smokable material.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobaccoduring use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to providealternatives to these articles by creating products that releasecompounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called“heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, whichrelease compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The materialmay be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may ormay not contain nicotine.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a method ofmanufacturing a product comprising a heater for use in heating smokablematerial to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material,the method comprising: determining a maximum temperature to which aheater is to be heated in use; and providing a heater comprising heatingmaterial, wherein the heating material is heatable by penetration with avarying magnetic field, and wherein the heating material has a Curiepoint temperature selected on the basis of the determined maximumtemperature.

In an exemplary embodiment, the Curie point temperature is equal to orless than the maximum temperature.

In an exemplary embodiment, the maximum temperature is less than thecombustion temperature of the smokable material to be heated by theheater in use.

In an exemplary embodiment, the combustion temperature of the smokablematerial is the autoignition temperature or kindling point of thesmokable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the Curie point temperature is no more than350 degrees Celsius.

In respective exemplary embodiments, the Curie point temperature may beless than 350 degrees Celsius, less than 325 degrees Celsius, less than300 degrees Celsius, less than 280 degrees Celsius, less than 260degrees Celsius, less than 240 degrees Celsius, or less than 220 degreesCelsius.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises forming an articlecomprising the heater and smokable material to be heated by the heaterin use.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises tobaccoand/or one or more humectants.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises providing that theheater is in contact with the smokable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises forming apparatus forheating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of thesmokable material, the apparatus comprising a heating zone for receivingan article comprising smokable material, the heater for heating theheating zone, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varyingmagnetic field that penetrates the heating material; and a maximumtemperature to which the heater is heatable by penetration with thevarying magnetic field in use is exclusively determined by the Curiepoint temperature of the heating material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises one or morematerials selected from the group consisting of: iron; an alloycomprising iron; an alloy comprising iron and nickel; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium; an alloy comprising iron andnickel and chromium and manganese; an alloy comprising iron and nickeland chromium and manganese and silicon; and stainless steel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heater consists entirely, orsubstantially entirely, of the heating material.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides an article for usewith apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least onecomponent of the smokable material, the article comprising: smokablematerial; and a heater for heating the smokable material, wherein theheater comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with avarying magnetic field, and wherein the heating material has a Curiepoint temperature that is less than the combustion temperature of thesmokable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the combustion temperature of the smokablematerial is the autoignition temperature or kindling point of thesmokable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in contact with thesmokable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the Curie point temperature is no more than350 degrees Celsius.

In respective exemplary embodiments, the Curie point temperature may beless than 350 degrees Celsius, less than 325 degrees Celsius, less than300 degrees Celsius, less than 280 degrees Celsius, less than 260degrees Celsius, less than 240 degrees Celsius, or less than 220 degreesCelsius.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises one or morematerials selected from the group consisting of: iron; an alloycomprising iron; an alloy comprising iron and nickel; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium; an alloy comprising iron andnickel and chromium and manganese; an alloy comprising iron and nickeland chromium and manganese and silicon; and stainless steel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises tobaccoand/or one or more humectants.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heater consists entirely, orsubstantially entirely, of the heating material.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides apparatus for heatingsmokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokablematerial, the apparatus comprising: a heating zone for receiving anarticle comprising smokable material; a heater for heating the heatingzone, wherein the heater comprises heating material that is heatable bypenetration with a varying magnetic field; and a magnetic fieldgenerator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates theheating material; wherein a maximum temperature to which the heater isheatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field in use isexclusively determined by a Curie point temperature of the heatingmaterial.

In an exemplary embodiment, the Curie point temperature is no more than350 degrees Celsius.

In respective exemplary embodiments, the Curie point temperature may beless than 350 degrees Celsius, less than 325 degrees Celsius, less than300 degrees Celsius, less than 280 degrees Celsius, less than 260degrees Celsius, less than 240 degrees Celsius, or less than 220 degreesCelsius.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises one or morematerials selected from the group consisting of: iron; an alloycomprising iron; an alloy comprising iron and nickel; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium; an alloy comprising iron andnickel and chromium and manganese; an alloy comprising iron and nickeland chromium and manganese and silicon; and stainless steel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heater consists entirely, orsubstantially entirely, of the heating material.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a system, comprising:apparatus for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least onecomponent of the smokable material; and an article for use with theapparatus, wherein the article comprises smokable material and a heaterfor heating the smokable material, wherein the heater is formed ofheating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magneticfield, and wherein the heating material has a Curie point temperaturethat is less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material;wherein the apparatus comprises a heating zone for receiving thearticle, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varyingmagnetic field that penetrates the heating material when the article isin the heating zone.

In respective exemplary embodiments, the article of the system may haveany one or more of the features discussed above as being present inrespective exemplary embodiments of the article of the second aspect ofthe present disclosure.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a system, comprising:apparatus for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least onecomponent of the smokable material; and an article for use with theapparatus, wherein the article comprises smokable material; wherein theapparatus comprises: a heating zone for receiving the article, a heaterfor heating the smokable material when the article is in the heatingzone, wherein the heater is formed of heating material that is heatableby penetration with a varying magnetic field, and a magnetic fieldgenerator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates theheating material; wherein a maximum temperature to which the heater isheatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field in use isexclusively determined by a Curie point temperature of the heatingmaterial.

In an exemplary embodiment, the article of the system is the article ofthe second aspect of the present disclosure. The article of the systemmay have any one or more of the features discussed above as beingpresent in respective exemplary embodiments of the article of the secondaspect of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of an articlefor use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize atleast one component of the smokable material.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of apparatusfor heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component ofthe smokable material.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of a method of manufacturingan article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilize at least one component of the smokable material.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an example of a method of manufacturingapparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least onecomponent of the smokable material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “smokable material” includes materials thatprovide volatilized components upon heating, typically in the form ofvapor or an aerosol. “Smokable material” may be a non-tobacco-containingmaterial or a tobacco-containing material. “Smokable material” may, forexample, include one or more of tobacco per se, tobacco derivatives,expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenizedtobacco or tobacco substitutes. The smokable material can be in the formof ground tobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstitutedtobacco, reconstituted smokable material, liquid, gel, gelled sheet,powder, or agglomerates, or the like. “Smokable material” also mayinclude other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product,may or may not contain nicotine. “Smokable material” may comprise one ormore humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

As used herein, the term “heating material” or “heater material” refersto material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magneticfield.

Induction heating is a process in which an electrically-conductiveobject is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magneticfield. The process is described by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm'slaw. An induction heater may comprise an electromagnet and a device forpassing a varying electrical current, such as an alternating current,through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to beheated are suitably relatively positioned so that the resultant varyingmagnetic field produced by the electromagnet penetrates the object, oneor more eddy currents are generated inside the object. The object has aresistance to the flow of electrical currents. Therefore, when such eddycurrents are generated in the object, their flow against the electricalresistance of the object causes the object to be heated. This process iscalled Joule, ohmic, or resistive heating. An object that is capable ofbeing inductively heated is known as a susceptor.

It has been found that, when the susceptor is in the form of a closedcircuit, magnetic coupling between the susceptor and the electromagnetin use is enhanced, which results in greater or improved Joule heating.

Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which an object made of amagnetic material is heated by penetrating the object with a varyingmagnetic field. A magnetic material can be considered to comprise manyatomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles.

When a magnetic field penetrates such material, the magnetic dipolesalign with the magnetic field. Therefore, when a varying magnetic field,such as an alternating magnetic field, for example as produced by anelectromagnet, penetrates the magnetic material, the orientation of themagnetic dipoles changes with the varying applied magnetic field. Suchmagnetic dipole reorientation causes heat to be generated in themagnetic material.

When an object is both electrically-conductive and magnetic, penetratingthe object with a varying magnetic field can cause both Joule heatingand magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Moreover, the use ofmagnetic material can strengthen the magnetic field, which can intensifythe Joule heating.

In each of the above processes, as heat is generated inside the objectitself, rather than by an external heat source by heat conduction, arapid temperature rise in the object and more uniform heat distributioncan be achieved, particularly through selection of suitable objectmaterial and geometry, and suitable varying magnetic field magnitude andorientation relative to the object. Moreover, as induction heating andmagnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection to beprovided between the source of the varying magnetic field and theobject, design freedom and control over the heating profile may begreater, and cost may be lower.

The Curie point temperature, or Curie Temperature, is the temperature atwhich certain magnetic materials undergo a sharp change in theirmagnetic properties. It is understood that the Curie point temperatureis the temperature below which there is spontaneous magnetization in theabsence of an externally applied magnetic field, and above which thematerial is paramagnetic. For example, the Curie point temperature isthe magnetic transformation temperature of a ferromagnetic materialbetween its ferromagnetic and paramagnetic phase. When such a magneticmaterial reaches its Curie point temperature, its magnetic permeabilityreduces or ceases, and the ability of the material to be heated bypenetration with a varying magnetic field also reduces or ceases. Thatis, it may not be possible to heat the material above its Curie pointtemperature by magnetic hysteresis heating. If the magnetic material iselectrically-conductive, then the material may still be heatable, to alesser extent, by penetration with a varying magnetic field above theCurie point temperature by Joule heating. However, if the magneticmaterial is non-electrically-conductive, then heating of the materialabove its Curie point temperature by penetration with a varying magneticfield may be hindered or even impossible.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there are shown a schematic perspective viewand a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an articleaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure. Broadly speaking, thearticle 1 comprises smokable material 10, a heater 20 for heating thesmokable material 10, and a cover 30 that encircles the smokablematerial 10 and the heater 20. The heater 20 comprises heating materialthat is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Examplesuch heating materials are discussed elsewhere herein. The article 1 isfor use with apparatus for heating the smokable material 10 tovolatilize at least one component of the smokable material 10 withoutburning the smokable material 10.

In this embodiment, the article 1 is elongate and cylindrical with asubstantially circular cross section in a plane normal to a longitudinalaxis of the article 1. However, in other embodiments, the article 1 mayhave a cross section other than circular and/or not be elongate and/ornot be cylindrical. The article 1 may have proportions approximatingthose of a cigarette.

In this embodiment, the heater 20 is elongate and extends along alongitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axisof the article 1. This can help to provide more uniform heating of thesmokable material 10 in use, and can also aid manufacturing of thearticle 1. In this embodiment, the aligned axes are coincident. In avariation to this embodiment, the aligned axes may be parallel to eachother. However, in other embodiments, the axes may be oblique to eachother.

In this embodiment, the heater 20 extends to opposite longitudinal endsof the mass of smokable material 10. This can help to provide moreuniform heating of the smokable material 10 in use, and can also aidmanufacturing of the article 1. However, in other embodiments, theheater 20 may not extend to either of the opposite longitudinal ends ofthe mass of smokable material 10, or may extend to only one of thelongitudinal ends of the mass of smokable material 10 and be spaced fromthe other of the longitudinal ends of the mass of smokable material 10.

In this embodiment, the heater 20 is within the smokable material 10. Inother embodiments, the smokable material 10 may be on only one side ofthe heater 20, for example.

In this embodiment, the heating material of the heater 20 is in contactwith the smokable material 10. Thus, when the heating material is heatedby penetration with a varying magnetic field, heat may be transferreddirectly from the heating material to the smokable material 10. In otherembodiments, the heating material may be kept out of contact with thesmokable material 10. For example, in some embodiments, the article 1may comprise a thermally-conductive barrier that is free of heatingmaterial and that spaces the heater 20 from the smokable material 10. Insome embodiments, the thermally-conductive barrier may be a coating onthe heater 20. The provision of such a barrier may be advantageous tohelp to dissipate heat to alleviate hot spots in the heating material.

The heater 20 of this embodiment has two opposing major surfaces joinedby two minor surfaces. Therefore, the depth or thickness of the heater20 is relatively small as compared to the other dimensions of the heater20. The heating material may have a skin depth, which is an exteriorzone within which most of an induced electrical current and/or inducedreorientation of magnetic dipoles occurs. By providing that the heatingmaterial has a relatively small thickness, a greater proportion of theheating material may be heatable by a given varying magnetic field, ascompared to heating material having a depth or thickness that isrelatively large as compared to the other dimensions of the heatingmaterial. Thus, a more efficient use of material is achieved and, inturn, costs are reduced. However, in other embodiments, the heater 20may have a cross-section that is a shape other than rectangular, such ascircular, elliptical, annular, polygonal, square, triangular,star-shaped, radially-finned, or the like.

The cover 30 of the article 1 helps to maintain the relative positionsof the smokable material 10 and the heater 20. The cover 30 may be madeof any suitable material, such as paper, card, a plastics material, orthe like. Overlapping portions of the cover 30 may be adhered to eachother to help maintain the shape of the cover 30 and the article 1 as awhole. In some embodiments, the cover 30 may take a different form or beomitted.

The Curie point temperature of a material is determined or controlled bythe chemical composition of the material. Modern technology allowsadjustment of the composition of a material to provide the material witha preset Curie point temperature. Some example heating materials thatcould be used in embodiments of the present disclosure, along with theirapproximate Curie point temperatures, are as shown in Table 1, below.

TABLE 1 Curie point temperature Material (degrees Celsius) 30% Ni 70% Fe100 36% Ni 64% Fe 279 42% Ni 58% Fe 325 46% Ni 54% Fe 460 52% Ni 48% Fe565 80% Ni 20% Fe 460 Cobalt 1120 Iron 770 Low carbon steel 760 Iron(III) oxide 675 Iron (II, III) oxide 585 NiOFe₂O₃ 585 CuOFe₂O₃ 455Strontium ferrite 450 MgOFe₂O₃ 440 Kovar* 435 MnBi 357 Nickel 353 MnSb314 MnOFe₂O₃ 300 Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ 287 CrO₂ 113 MnAs 45 *A typical composition ofKovar is as follows, given in percentages of weight: Ni 29%, Co 17%, Si0.2%, Mn 0.3%, C <0.01%, Fe balance.

The % values given for the above various alloys of Ni and Fe may be % wtvalues.

“Low Curie temperature material for induction heating self-temperaturecontrolling system”; T. Todaka et al.; Journal of Magnetism and MagneticMaterials 320 (2008) e702-e707, presents low Curie temperature magneticmaterials for induction heating. The materials are alloys based onSUS430 (a grade of stainless steel), could be used in embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and are shown in Table 2, below, along with theirapproximate Curie point temperatures.

TABLE 2 Material Composition Curie point temperature (wt %) (degreesCelsius) SUS430-Al_(11.7)Dy_(0.5) 301 SUS430-Al_(11.7)Gd_(0.3) 300SUS430-Al_(11.7)Sm_(0.3) 300 SUS430-Al_(12.8)Gd_(0.3) 194SUS430-Al_(12.8)Sm_(0.1) 195 SUS430-Al_(12.8)Y_(0.3) 198SUS430-Al_(13.5)Gd_(0.3) 106 SUS430-Al_(13.5)Sm_(0.1) 116SUS430-Al_(13.5)Y_(0.3) 109

“Low Curie temperature in Fe—Cr—Ni—Mn alloys”; Alexandru Iorga et al.;U.P.B. Sci. Bull., Series B, Vol. 73, Iss. 4 (2011) 195-202, provides adiscussion of several Fe—Ni—Cr alloys. Some of the materials disclosedin this document could be used in embodiments of the present disclosure,and are shown in Table 3, below, along with their approximate Curiepoint temperatures.

TABLE 3 Material Composition Curie point temperature (wt %) (degreesCelsius) Cr₄—Ni₃₂—Fe₆₂—Mn_(1.5)—Si_(0.5) 55 Cr₄—Ni₃₃—Fe_(62.5)—Si_(0.5)122 Cr₁₀—Ni33—Fe_(53.5)—Mn₃—Si_(0.5) 11 Cr₁₁—Ni₃₅—Fe_(53.5)—Si_(0.5) 66

A further material that could be used in some embodiments of the presentdisclosure is NeoMax MS-135, which is from NeoMax Materials Co., Ltd.This material is described at www.neomax-materials.co.jp.

In this embodiment, the chemical composition of the heating material ofthe heater 20 has been carefully and intentionally set, selected orprovided so that the heating material has a Curie point temperature thatis less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material 10. Thecombustion temperature may be the autoignition temperature or kindlingpoint of the smokable material 10. That is, the lowest temperature atwhich the smokable material 10 will spontaneously ignite in normalatmosphere without an external source of ignition, such as a flame orspark.

Accordingly, when the temperature of the heater 20 in use reaches theCurie point temperature, the ability to further heat the heater 20 bypenetration with a varying magnetic field is reduced or removed. Forexample, as noted above, when the heating material iselectrically-conductive, Joule heating may still be effected bypenetrating the heating material with a varying magnetic field.Alternatively, when the heating material is non-electrically-conductive,depending on the chemical composition of the heating material, suchfurther heating by penetration with a varying magnetic field may beimpossible.

Thus, in use, this inherent mechanism of the heating material of theheater 20 may be used to limit or prevent further heating of the heater20, so as to help avoid the temperature of the adjacent smokablematerial 10 from reaching a magnitude at which the smokable material 10burns or combusts. Thus, in some embodiments, the chemical compositionof the heater 20 may help enable the smokable material 10 to be heatedsufficiently to volatilize at least one component of the smokablematerial 10 without burning the smokable material 10. In someembodiments, this may also help to prevent overheating of the apparatuswith which the article 1 is being used, and/or help to prevent part(s),such as the cover 30 or an adhesive, of the article 1 being damaged byexcessive heat during use of the article 1.

In some embodiments, if the combustion temperature of the smokablematerial 10 is greater than X degrees Celsius, then the chemicalcomposition of the heating material may be provided so that the Curiepoint temperature is no more than X degrees Celsius. For example, if thecombustion temperature of the smokable material 10 is greater than 350degrees Celsius, then the chemical composition of the heating materialmay be provided so that the Curie point temperature is no more than 350degrees Celsius. The Curie point temperature may be, for example, lessthan 350 degrees Celsius, less than 325 degrees Celsius, less than 300degrees Celsius, less than 280 degrees Celsius, less than 260 degreesCelsius, less than 240 degrees Celsius, or less than 220 degreesCelsius.

In some embodiments, the ability of the heating material to be heated bypenetration with a varying magnetic field by magnetic hysteresis heatingmay return when the temperature of the heating material has droppedbelow the Curie point temperature.

In some embodiments, the heater 20 may consist entirely, orsubstantially entirely, of the heating material. The heating materialmay comprise, for example, one or more materials selected from the groupconsisting of: iron; an alloy comprising iron; an alloy comprising ironand nickel; an alloy comprising iron and nickel and chromium; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium and manganese; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium and manganese and silicon; andstainless steel.

In some embodiments, the heater of the product, such as the article, maycomprise a first portion of heating material that has a first Curiepoint temperature, and a second portion of heating material that has asecond Curie point temperature that is different to the first Curiepoint temperature. The second Curie point temperature may be higher thanthe first Curie point temperature. In use, the second portion of heatingmaterial may thus be permitted to reach a higher temperature than thefirst portion of heating material when both are penetrated by a varyingmagnetic field. This may help progressive heating of the smokablematerial 10, and thus progressive generation of vapor, to be achieved.Both the first and second Curie point temperatures may be less than thecombustion temperature of the smokable material 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a flow diagram showing an example ofa method of manufacturing a product for use in heating smokable materialto volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure. The article 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 maybe made according to this method.

The method 400 comprises determining 401 a maximum temperature to whicha heater is to be heated in use. This determining 401 may comprise, forexample, determining the combustion temperature of the smokable material10 to be heated by the heater 20 in use, and then determining themaximum temperature on the basis of that combustion temperature. Forexample, in some embodiments, the maximum temperature may be less thanthe combustion temperature of the smokable material 10, for the reasonsdiscussed above. In other embodiments, the determining 401 mayadditionally or alternatively comprise determining a maximum temperatureto which other part(s), such as a cover or an adhesive, of the articlemay be subjected in use without incurring damage, and then determiningthe maximum temperature on the basis of that temperature. For example,in some embodiments, the maximum temperature may be less than thetemperature to which the part(s) may be safely subjected in use. Instill other embodiments, the determining 401 may additionally oralternatively comprise determining a maximum temperature to which thesmokable material 10 is to be heated on the basis of desired sensoryproperties, and then determining the maximum temperature on the basis ofthat temperature. For example, at different temperatures differentcomponents of the smokable material 10 may be volatilized.

The method 400 further comprises providing 402 a heater 20 comprisingheating material, wherein the heating material is heatable bypenetration with a varying magnetic field, and wherein the heatingmaterial has a Curie point temperature selected or determined on thebasis of, or in dependence on, the maximum temperature determined at401. The providing 402 may comprise, for example, manufacturing theheater 20 from suitable heating material. The method may compriseadjusting the composition of the heating material during manufacture ofthe heater 20. Alternatively or additionally, the providing 402 maycomprise selecting the heater 20 from a plurality of heaters 20, whereinthe plurality of heaters 20 are made of heating material havingrespective different Curie point temperatures. The Curie pointtemperature of the heating material of the heater 20 provided in 402may, for example, be equal to the maximum temperature determined in 401,or may be less than the maximum temperature determined in 401. Theheater 20 provided in 402 may consists entirely, or substantiallyentirely, of the heating material. The heating material may comprise orconsist of any one or more of the available heating materials discussedabove, for example.

The method then comprises forming 403 an article, such as the article 1of FIGS. 1 and 2, comprising the heater 20 and smokable material 10 tobe heated by the heater 20 in use. The forming 403 may compriseproviding that the heater 20 is in contact with the smokable material10, as is the case in the article 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in otherembodiments, the smokable material 10 may be out of contact with theheater 20 and yet still be heatable by the heater 20. The forming 403 ofthe method 400 may additionally or alternatively comprise encircling orcovering the smokable material 10 and the heater 20 with a cover, suchas the cover 30 of the article 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The above-described article 1 and described variants thereof may be usedwith apparatus for heating the smokable material 10 to volatilize atleast one component of the smokable material 10 without burning thesmokable material 10. Any one of the article(s) 1 and such apparatus maybe provided together as a system. The system may take the form of a kit,in which the article 1 is separate from the apparatus. Alternatively,the system may take the form of an assembly, in which the article 1 iscombined with the apparatus. The apparatus of the system comprises aheating zone for receiving the article 1, and a magnetic field generatorfor generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heatingmaterial when the article 1 is in the heating zone.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view ofan example of apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize atleast one component of the smokable material according to an embodimentof the disclosure. Broadly speaking, the apparatus 100 comprises aheating zone 111 for receiving an article comprising smokable material;a heater 115 for heating the heating zone 111, wherein the heater 115comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with avarying magnetic field; and a magnetic field generator 112 forgenerating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating materialof the heater 115. A maximum temperature to which the heater 115 isheatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field in use isexclusively determined by a Curie point temperature of the heatingmaterial of the heater 115. Example such heating materials are discussedelsewhere herein. The apparatus 100 is for use with an article thatcomprises smokable material. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 isfor heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one componentof the smokable material without burning the smokable material. Thearticle may comprise heating material, such as the article 1 of FIGS. 1and 2, or may be free of heating material.

The apparatus 100 of this embodiment comprises a body 110 and amouthpiece 120. The mouthpiece 120 may be made of any suitable material,such as a plastics material, cardboard, cellulose acetate, paper, metal,glass, ceramic, or rubber. The mouthpiece 120 defines a channel 122therethrough. The mouthpiece 120 is locatable relative to the body 110so as to cover an opening into the heating zone 111. When the mouthpiece120 is so located relative to the body 110, the channel 122 of themouthpiece 120 is in fluid communication with the heating zone 111. Inuse, the channel 122 acts as a passageway for permitting volatilizedmaterial to pass from an article inserted in the heating zone 111 to anexterior of the apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 120 ofthe apparatus 100 is releasably engageable with the body 110 so as toconnect the mouthpiece 120 to the body 110. In other embodiments, themouthpiece 120 and the body 110 may be permanently connected, such asthrough a hinge or flexible member. In some embodiments, such asembodiments in which the article itself comprises a mouthpiece, themouthpiece 120 of the apparatus 100 may be omitted.

The apparatus 100 may define an air inlet that fluidly connects theheating zone 111 with the exterior of the apparatus 100. Such an airinlet may be defined by the body 110 of the apparatus 100 and/or by themouthpiece 120 of the apparatus 100. A user may be able to inhale thevolatilized component(s) of the smokable material by drawing thevolatilized component(s) through the channel 122 of the mouthpiece 120.As the volatilized component(s) are removed from the article, air may bedrawn into the heating zone 111 via the air inlet of the apparatus 100.

In this embodiment, the body 110 comprises the heating zone 111. In thisembodiment, the heating zone 111 comprises a recess 111 for receiving atleast a portion of the article. In other embodiments, the heating zone111 may be other than a recess, such as a shelf, a surface, or aprojection, and may require mechanical mating with the article in orderto co-operate with, or receive, the article. In this embodiment, theheating zone 111 is elongate, and is sized and shaped to receive thearticle. In this embodiment, the heating zone 111 accommodates the wholearticle. In other embodiments, the heating zone 111 may be dimensionedto receive only a portion of the article.

In this embodiment, the magnetic field generator 112 comprises anelectrical power source 113, a coil 114, a device 116 for passing avarying electrical current, such as an alternating current, through thecoil 114, a controller 117, and a user interface 118 for user-operationof the controller 117.

In this embodiment, the electrical power source 113 is a rechargeablebattery. In other embodiments, the electrical power source 113 may beother than a rechargeable battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery, acapacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid, or a connection to a mainselectricity supply.

The coil 114 may take any suitable form. In this embodiment, the coil114 is a helical coil of electrically-conductive material, such ascopper. In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator 112 maycomprise a magnetically permeable core around which the coil 114 iswound. Such a magnetically permeable core concentrates the magnetic fluxproduced by the coil 114 in use and makes a more powerful magneticfield. The magnetically permeable core may be made of iron, for example.In some embodiments, the magnetically permeable core may extend onlypartially along the length of the coil 114, so as to concentrate themagnetic flux only in certain regions.

In this embodiment, the coil 114 is in a fixed position relative to theheater 115 and the heating zone 111. In this embodiment, the coil 114encircles the heater 115 and the heating zone 111. In this embodiment,the coil 114 extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantiallyaligned with a longitudinal axis A-A of the heating zone 111. In thisembodiment, the aligned axes are coincident. In a variation to thisembodiment, the aligned axes may be parallel to each other. However, inother embodiments, the axes may be oblique to each other. Moreover, inthis embodiment, the coil 114 extends along a longitudinal axis that issubstantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of the heater 115.This can help to provide more uniform heating of the heater 115 in use,and can also aid manufacturability of the apparatus 100. In otherembodiments, the longitudinal axes of the coil 114 and the heater 115may be aligned with each other by being parallel to each other, or maybe oblique to each other.

In this embodiment, the device 116 for passing a varying current throughthe coil 114 is electrically connected between the electrical powersource 113 and the coil 114. In this embodiment, the controller 117 alsois electrically connected to the electrical power source 113, and iscommunicatively connected to the device 116 to control the device 116.More specifically, in this embodiment, the controller 117 is forcontrolling the device 116, so as to control the supply of electricalpower from the electrical power source 113 to the coil 114. In thisembodiment, the controller 117 comprises an integrated circuit (IC),such as an IC on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments,the controller 117 may take a different form. In some embodiments, theapparatus may have a single electrical or electronic componentcomprising the device 116 and the controller 117. The controller 117 isoperated in this embodiment by user-operation of the user interface 118.In this embodiment, the user interface 118 is located at the exterior ofthe body 110. The user interface 118 may comprise a push-button, atoggle switch, a dial, a touchscreen, or the like. In other embodiments,the user interface 118 may be remote and connected to the rest of theapparatus wirelessly, such as via Bluetooth.

In this embodiment, operation of the user interface 118 by a user causesthe controller 117 to cause the device 116 to cause an alternatingelectrical current to pass through the coil 114, so as to cause the coil114 to generate an alternating magnetic field. The coil 114 and theheater 115 of the apparatus 100 are suitably relatively positioned sothat the alternating magnetic field produced by the coil 114 penetratesthe heating material of the heater 115. When the heating material of theheater 115 is an electrically-conductive material, this may cause thegeneration of one or more eddy currents in the heating material. Theflow of eddy currents in the heating material against the electricalresistance of the heating material causes the heating material to beheated by Joule heating. In this embodiment, the heating material ismade of a magnetic material, and so the orientation of magnetic dipolesin the heating material changes with the changing applied magneticfield, which causes heat to be generated in the heating material.

A maximum temperature to which the heater 115 of the apparatus 100 isheatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field in use isexclusively determined by a Curie point temperature of the heatingmaterial of the heater 115. That is, the apparatus 100 may be free ofany other system for limiting the temperature to which the heater 115 isheatable to below the maximum temperature. In this embodiment, thechemical composition of the heating material of the heater 115 of theapparatus 100 has been carefully and intentionally set, selected orprovided so that the heating material has a Curie point temperature thatis less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material in anarticle to be used with the apparatus 100. Accordingly, when thetemperature of the heater 115 in use reaches the Curie pointtemperature, the ability to further heat the heater 115 by penetrationwith a varying magnetic field is reduced or removed, as discussed above.

Thus, in use, this inherent mechanism of the heating material of theheater 115 may be used to limit or prevent further heating of the heater115, so as to help avoid the temperature of the heating zone 111 and anarticle located therein from reaching a magnitude at which the smokablematerial of the article burns or combusts. Thus, in some embodiments,the chemical composition of the heater 115 may help enable the smokablematerial to be heated sufficiently to volatilize at least one componentof the smokable material without burning the smokable material. In someembodiments, this may also help to prevent overheating of the apparatus100 or damage to components of the apparatus, such as the magnetic fieldgenerator 112.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the ability of the heating materialto be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field by magnetichysteresis heating may return when the temperature of the heatingmaterial has dropped below the Curie point temperature.

In some embodiments, if the combustion temperature of the smokablematerial to be used with the apparatus 100 is greater than X degreesCelsius, then the chemical composition of the heating material may beprovided so that the Curie point temperature is no more than X degreesCelsius. For example, if the combustion temperature of the smokablematerial is greater than 350 degrees Celsius, then the chemicalcomposition of the heating material may be provided so that the Curiepoint temperature is no more than 350 degrees Celsius. The Curie pointtemperature may be, for example, less than 350 degrees Celsius, lessthan 325 degrees Celsius, less than 300 degrees Celsius, less than 280degrees Celsius, less than 260 degrees Celsius, less than 240 degreesCelsius, or less than 220 degrees Celsius.

In some embodiments, the heater 115 may consist entirely, orsubstantially entirely, of the heating material. The heating materialmay comprise, for example, one or more materials selected from the groupconsisting of: iron; an alloy comprising iron; an alloy comprising ironand nickel; an alloy comprising iron and nickel and chromium; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium and manganese; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium and manganese and silicon; andstainless steel.

The apparatus 100 may comprise more than one coil. The plurality ofcoils of the apparatus 100 could be operable to provide progressiveheating of the smokable material 10 in an article 1, and therebyprogressive generation of vapor. For example, one coil may be able toheat a first region of the heating material relatively quickly toinitialize volatilization of at least one component of the smokablematerial 10 and formation of a vapor in a first region of the smokablematerial 10. Another coil may be able to heat a second region of theheating material relatively slowly to initialize volatilization of atleast one component of the smokable material 10 and formation of a vaporin a second region of the smokable material 10. Accordingly, a vapor isable to be formed relatively rapidly for inhalation by a user, and vaporcan continue to be formed thereafter for subsequent inhalation by theuser even after the first region of the smokable material 10 may haveceased generating vapor. The initially-unheated second region ofsmokable material 10 could act as a heat sink, to reduce the temperatureof created vapor or make the created vapor mild, during heating of thefirst region of smokable material 10.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may have a sensor for detecting aCurie-related change in magnetism of the heater 20, 115. The sensor maybe communicatively-connected to the controller 117. The controller 117may be configured to control the device 116 to cause the generation ofthe varying magnetic field to be halted or changed, on the basis of asignal received at the controller 117 from the sensor.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may have an amplifier foramplifying the Curie-related change in magnetism of the heater 20, 115of the article 1 or apparatus 100. For example, the coil 114 may beconfigured or arranged so that a change in a property of the coil 114 inresponse to the Curie-related change in magnetism of the heater 20, 115is large. The impedance of the coil 114 may be matched with theimpedance of the heater 20, 115, to result in a Curie-related eventbeing more reliably detectable.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a flow diagram showing an example ofa method of manufacturing a product for use in heating smokable materialto volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure. The apparatus 100 of FIG. 3 may bemade according to this method.

The method 500 comprises determining 501 a maximum temperature to whicha heater is to be heated in use. The determining 501 may comprise, forexample, determining the combustion temperature of smokable material tobe heated by the heater 115 in use, and then determining the maximumtemperature on the basis of that combustion temperature. For example, insome embodiments, the maximum temperature may be less than thecombustion temperature of the smokable material, for the reasonsdiscussed above. In other embodiments, the determining 501 mayadditionally or alternatively comprise determining a maximum comfortabletemperature to which the exterior of the apparatus 100 is to bepermitted to reach in use while still being comfortable to hold by auser, and then determining the maximum temperature on the basis of thattemperature. In still further embodiments, the determining 501 mayadditionally or alternatively comprise determining a maximum temperatureto which components, such as electrical components, of the apparatus 100may be subjected in use without incurring damage, and then determiningthe maximum temperature on the basis of that temperature.

The method further comprises providing 502 a heater 115 comprisingheating material, wherein the heating material is heatable bypenetration with a varying magnetic field, and wherein the heatingmaterial has a Curie point temperature selected or determined on thebasis of, or in dependence on, the maximum temperature determined at501. The providing 502 may comprise, for example, manufacturing theheater 115 from suitable heating material. The method may compriseadjusting the composition of the heating material during manufacture ofthe heater 115. Alternatively or additionally, the providing 502 maycomprise selecting the heater 115 from a plurality of heaters 115,wherein the plurality of heaters 115 are made of heating material havingrespective different Curie point temperatures.

The Curie point temperature of the heating material of the heater 115provided in 502 may, for example, be equal to the maximum temperaturedetermined in 501, or may be less than the maximum temperaturedetermined in 501. The heater 115 provided in 502 may consists entirely,or substantially entirely, of the heating material. The heating materialmay comprise or consist of any one or more of the available heatingmaterials discussed above, for example.

The method then comprises forming 503 apparatus, such as the apparatus100 of FIG. 3, that comprises a heating zone 111 for receiving anarticle comprising smokable material, the heater 115 for heating theheating zone 111, and a magnetic field generator 112 for generating avarying magnetic field that penetrates the heating material, wherein amaximum temperature to which the heater 115 is heatable by penetrationwith the varying magnetic field in use is exclusively determined by theCurie point temperature of the heating material.

In some embodiments, the forming 403 of the method 400 of FIG. 4, and/orthe forming 503 of the method 500 of FIG. 5, may be omitted. Forexample, in some such embodiments, the product made using the method maybe a component or system for future incorporation into apparatus forheating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of thesmokable material. In some other such embodiments, the product madeusing the method may be a component or system for future incorporationinto an article for use with such apparatus.

Accordingly, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a product, such as the article 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 or theapparatus 100 of FIG. 3, may be provided with an automatic mechanism forlimiting the temperature to which a heater 20, 115 of the product isheatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.

In each of the embodiments discussed above, the heating material mayhave a skin depth, which is an exterior zone within which most of aninduced electrical current and/or induced reorientation of magneticdipoles occurs. By providing that the component comprising the heatingmaterial has a relatively small thickness, a greater proportion of theheating material may be heatable by a given varying magnetic field, ascompared to heating material in a component having a depth or thicknessthat is relatively large as compared to the other dimensions of thecomponent. Thus, a more efficient use of material is achieved. In turn,costs are reduced.

In some embodiments, a component comprising the heating material maycomprise discontinuities or holes therein. Such discontinuities or holesmay act as thermal breaks to control the degree to which differentregions of the smokable material 10 are heated in use. Areas of theheating material with discontinuities or holes therein may be heated toa lesser extent that areas without discontinuities or holes. This mayhelp progressive heating of the smokable material 10, and thusprogressive generation of vapor, to be achieved. Such discontinuities orholes may, on the other hand, be used to optimize the creation ofcomplex eddy currents in use.

In each of the above described embodiments, the smokable material 10comprises tobacco. However, in respective variations to each of theseembodiments, the smokable material 10 may consist of tobacco, mayconsist substantially entirely of tobacco, may comprise tobacco andsmokable material other than tobacco, may comprise smokable materialother than tobacco, or may be free of tobacco. In some embodiments, thesmokable material 10 may comprise a vapor or aerosol forming agent or ahumectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethyleneglycol.

In each of the above described embodiments, the article 1 is aconsumable article. Once all, or substantially all, of the volatilizablecomponent(s) of the smokable material 10 in the article 1 has/have beenspent, the user may remove the article 1 from the apparatus and disposeof the article 1. The user may subsequently re-use the apparatus withanother of the articles 1. However, in other respective embodiments, thearticle 1 may be non-consumable, and the apparatus and the article 1 maybe disposed of together once the volatilizable component(s) of thesmokable material 10 has/have been spent.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 discussed above is sold, suppliedor otherwise provided separately from the articles with which theapparatus 100 is usable. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus 100and one or more of the articles may be provided together as a system.Similarly, in some embodiments, the article 1 discussed above is sold,supplied or otherwise provided separately from the apparatus with whichthe article 1 is usable. However, in some embodiments, one or more ofthe articles 1 may be provided together with the apparatus as a system.Such systems may be in the form of a kit or an assembly, possibly withadditional components, such as cleaning utensils.

Embodiments of the disclosure could be implemented in a systemcomprising any one of the articles discussed herein, and any one of theapparatuses discussed herein. Heat generated in the heating material ofthe apparatus could be transferred to the article to heat, or furtherheat, the smokable material therein when the portion of the article isin the heating zone.

Some of the products discussed herein may be considered smoking industryproducts.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety ofthis disclosure shows by way of illustration and example variousembodiments in which the claimed invention may be practiced and whichprovide for superior apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilize at least one component of the smokable material, superiorarticles for use with such apparatus, superior systems comprising suchapparatus and such articles, and superior methods of manufacturingproducts comprising heaters. The advantages and features of thedisclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and arenot exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist inunderstanding and teach the claimed and otherwise disclosed features. Itis to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions,features, structures and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not tobe considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims orlimitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments maybe utilized and modifications may be made without departing from thescope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitablycomprise, consist of, or consist in essence of, various combinations ofthe disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc.The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, butwhich may be claimed in future.

1. A method of manufacturing a product comprising a heater for use inheating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of thesmokable material, the method comprising: determining a maximumtemperature to which a heater is to be heated in use; and providing aheater comprising heating material, wherein the heating material isheatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, and wherein theheating material has a Curie point temperature selected on the basis ofthe determined maximum temperature.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe Curie point temperature is equal to or less than the maximumtemperature.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the maximum temperatureis less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material to beheated by the heater in use.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprisingforming an article comprising the heater and smokable material to beheated by the heater in use.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thesmokable material comprises tobacco and/or one or more humectants. 6.The method of claim 4, comprising providing that the heater is incontact with the smokable material.
 7. The method of claim 1, comprisingforming an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize atleast one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising aheating zone for receiving an article comprising smokable material, theheater for heating the heating zone, and a magnetic field generator forgenerating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heatingmaterial; wherein a maximum temperature to which the heater is heatableby penetration with the varying magnetic field in use is exclusivelydetermined by the Curie point temperature of the heating material. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein the heating material comprises one ormore materials selected from the group consisting of: iron; an alloycomprising iron; an alloy comprising iron and nickel; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium; an alloy comprising iron andnickel and chromium and manganese; an alloy comprising iron and nickeland chromium and manganese and silicon; and stainless steel.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the heater consists entirely, orsubstantially entirely, of the heating material.
 10. An article for usewith an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at leastone component of the smokable material, the article comprising: smokablematerial; and a heater for heating the smokable material, wherein theheater comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with avarying magnetic field, and wherein the heating material has a Curiepoint temperature that is less than a combustion temperature of thesmokable material.
 11. The article of claim 10, wherein the heatingmaterial is in contact with the smokable material.
 12. The article ofclaim 10, wherein the Curie point temperature is no more than 350degrees Celsius.
 13. The article of claim 10, wherein the heatingmaterial comprises one or more materials selected from the groupconsisting of: iron; an alloy comprising iron; an alloy comprising ironand nickel; an alloy comprising iron and nickel and chromium; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium and manganese; an alloycomprising iron and nickel and chromium and manganese and silicon; andstainless steel.
 14. The article of claim 10, wherein the smokablematerial comprises at least one of tobacco or one or more humectants.15. The article of claim 10, wherein the heater consists entirely, orsubstantially entirely, of the heating material.
 16. An apparatus forheating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of thesmokable material, the apparatus comprising: a heating zone forreceiving an article comprising smokable material; a heater for heatingthe heating zone, wherein the heater comprises heating material that isheatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field; and a magneticfield generator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetratesthe heating material; wherein a maximum temperature to which the heateris heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field in use isexclusively determined by a Curie point temperature of the heatingmaterial.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the Curie pointtemperature is no more than 350 degrees Celsius.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the heating material comprises one or more materialsselected from the group consisting of: iron; an alloy comprising iron;an alloy comprising iron and nickel; an alloy comprising iron and nickeland chromium; an alloy comprising iron and nickel and chromium andmanganese; an alloy comprising iron and nickel and chromium andmanganese and silicon; and stainless steel.
 19. The apparatus of claim16, wherein the heater consists entirely, or substantially entirely, ofthe heating material.